Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
beguiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
chit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
condition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
conspiracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
crude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m expected to supply it all—while I wander and stray in the desert.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
exposure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
falsely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
forms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
forsaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
grace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
ignorance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
incompetence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
involves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
literally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
modesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
pathetically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
perspective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
pitilessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
preposterous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
presumption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
proportion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
reed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
stray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m expected to supply it all—while I wander and stray in the desert.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m expected to supply it all—while I wander and stray in the desert.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
unadmonished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’m expected to supply it all—while I wander and stray in the desert.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
waving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I’m expected to supply it all—while I wander and stray in the desert.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was there ever such a conspiracy, on the part of a whole social order, toward the exposure of incompetence?
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How can I do _all_ the grace, _all_ the interest, as I’m expected to?—yes, literally all the interest that isn’t the mere interest on the money.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, once _place_ me and you’ll see—I shall be different, I shall be better; for since I am, with my preposterous ‘position,’ falsely beguiled, pitilessly forsaken, thrust forth in my ignorance and folly, what do I know, helpless chit as I can but be, about manners or tone, about proportion or perspective, about modesty or mystery, about a condition of things that involves, for the interest and the grace of life, other forms of existence than this poor little mine—pathetically broken reed as it is, just to find itself waving all alone in the wind?
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were ever crude youth and crude presumption left so unadmonished as to their danger of giving themselves away?
